What do you all think about this? WalMarts ISP

Dodge · #1 May 24th, 2003, 11:09 PM

I just found Wal-Marts Connect Internet service. Thought I'd check it out.

Well, it is AOL for Wal-Mart. The installation and setup process is just like AOL's. Once Online, the browser is a tad bit different. The actual speed seems to be much faster.

But, the kicker is this. Wal-Mart Connect cost $9.94 a month for unlimited service. AOL cost $23.90 a month.

Ummmmm, is there something wrong with this picture? Doesn't make a lick of sense to me.......:no:

lufbra · #2 May 25th, 2003, 06:55 AM

Hmmmmmm, if it's so cheap, Dodge, why hasn't it been ranted and raved about here before?

My guess is it's a matter of how popular it is, especially at peak times.

When we had AOL (back in 3.0/4.0 days), it had times when it was fast, times when it was slow, times when it wasn't worth even trying to get on, even after they added all the different 800 numbers!!

Funny thing was, the two Xmas's that we had AOL, from Xmas day to maybe a week later, it always seemed very fast, hmmmm, could this have somat to do with all the new Computer Xmas pressies, and newbies wanting to hook up to an ISP!!

Have you looked in your local paper for cheap local ISP's?

By all means find and use a cheaper ISP, but if you can afford to do this, keep hooked up to AOL for a while, just in case you don't like the new ISP!!

Dodge · #3 May 25th, 2003, 08:49 AM

Well, my problem is that I have AOL's Satelite service and just can't bring myself to go back down to straight dialup. Sure saving $30 a month would be nice, but god the downloads suck on dialup..... Over 8 minutes to download 1.5mb's..... 30secs or under with the satelite....

I want to get away from AOL, but not for an Imitation AOL service...

Just wondering how long AOL will allow Wal-Mart to use this setup and charge this low low amount?....

lufbra · #4 May 31st, 2003, 11:11 PM

So what did you end up with. Dodge?

Dodge · #5 June 7th, 2003, 02:03 AM

Haven't ended up with anything yet Dave. Am leaning more and more toward going back to straight dialup though. More and More often AOL's connection with the Satelite is dropping. Just like today, I am on WalMarts connection due to AOL constantly having problems with the satelite. I can sign on and about 2-3 minutes later I lose the Satelite connection and everything wants to come in through the phone line anyways.

not to mention the fact that AOL's satelite service is a major pain the ass to setup most of the time in 98, 2000 and XP.... Plus I am thinking of starting up with Linux and AOL doesn't support linux at all. So that would be useless.

Will make up my mind before the 29 when my AOL account is due again....

twistedcranium · #6 June 7th, 2003, 02:34 AM

Kmart tried the same thing a while ago and got out of the business in under a year. I would be weary of the staying power of such an ISP....but give em credit...anyone that wants to kick AOL's butt, is ok with me.

Dodge · #7 June 7th, 2003, 03:18 AM

your right about that one...

Dodge · #8 June 7th, 2003, 03:26 AM

I did find Mfire though $14.95 a month for unlimited service. No 200 hour limits. Will work great with linux. Now I just need to make sure my modem will work ok with linux and I'll probably switch services.

Dodge · #9 June 15th, 2003, 11:31 PM

Dave, I finally went with www.highstream.com So far it is excellant service. Much faster than any other I've tried. Constant connects of 33000+.... So AOL is gone either tomorrow or Tues...

$8.95 a month for regular dialup account. $11.95 a month for the dialup and Propel Accelerator. Which actually works great for web browsing. For viewing pictures you need to adjust it so you get better graphics. Seems excellant so far. 2 week free trial, so there's nothing to lose....

wllwnn · #10 June 16th, 2003, 02:14 AM

Well if you find out it sucks...take it back and get a refund!

Jaytee · #11 June 20th, 2003, 10:51 PM

Sorry to come in late on this one Dodge I only just saw the thread.
I got the walmart isp and do not like it one little bit. It is slow, unreliable (the main module crashes at the least little thing) expensive when on the road (no free dial up means $6.00 per hour or more) and you cannot access it from a remote computer (librarys for instance). My average bill is $40.oo per month for a piece of vintage AOL software. I will put up with it for the rest of the year but would not get it or reccomend the product to anyone.
Changing my emails would be a pain for my correspondents:no:

x-static · #12 June 21st, 2003, 12:00 AM

my mom used the walmart service...its nothing special..i didnt like it at all, it is an imitation service but its nothin like aol.